as sky falls

as sky falls

in the early evening, man finally retires
to turtle houses, retracting into defensive position
bundled, swaddled soft bodies
across from frosted window
and frozen concrete

storms have ebbed and flowed
warnings have come and gone
and man cares no more
the remaining night will end
the end remains nigh

sees this measly civilization
for its falsehood
sleet builds up around each house
each snowflake a death knell
of casual annihilation

from inside structures of folly,
warmth is gently relinquished
from foggy souls with little wonder left
the lights go out
and man falls asleep

the old sadness comes again
the last blizzard ever seen
as sky falls

First published in Boston Poetry Magazine